Roop, Lacognata lead junior golf tournament

Bailey Plourde tees off on the 11th hole at Val Halla golf course on the first day of the Maine Junior Golf Championship. Staff photo by Derek Davis

CUMBERLAND — Lucas Roop, a 17-year-old from Gorham, set the pace for 41 golfers in the 16-18 age group Tuesday by firing a 2-over-par 74 in the first round of the Maine Junior Golf Championship at Val Halla Golf Club.

Elizabeth Lacognata, an incoming senior at Scarborough High who finished fourth in last fall’s Maine girls’ tournament, recorded a 5-over 77 to lead the girls’ 16-18 division.

Competition in three age groups for both boys and girls 18 and under ends Wednesday.

The highlight of Roop’s round came early. Playing in the first threesome, he recorded an eagle on the par-5, 470-yard fifth hole.

“I started off with a couple of bogeys and that eagle got me back to even par,” said Roop, an incoming senior at Gorham High who finished in the tournament’s top 10 a year ago. “I played a lot better on the front (side). I was hitting my targets on the front nine and making some putts.”

Tom Higgins of South Portland, who will be a junior at Cheverus in the fall, followed with a 75. “I hit my irons well,” he said, “(but) I’ve got to practice my chipping. I only made one up-and-down.”

Conner Paine, an incoming junior at Erskine Academy in South China, carded a 4-over 76 to claim a spot among the leaders. “I didn’t putt too awesome today but I hit it straight, so I was able to put up a pretty good score,” he said. “I’m happy with how I played. Definitely, straight here is a mandatory thing.”

Austin Legge, a 16-year-old from Cape Elizabeth, overcame three bad tee shots to record a 77. “I had three shots that went into the woods,” he said. “I had to take drops on two of them and I had to punch out (of the woods) on the last hole.”

Fueled by an eagle on the par-4, 405-yard 13th hole, Legge fired a par 36 on the back side. “I dunked in on one bounce from 120 yards,” he said.

Riley Lonsdale of Falmouth also shot a 77.

The stifling heat was a factor for the girls, who made up the last groups to tee off.

“I’m not good at eating and hydrating, so today that was the key,” said Bailey Plourde, who finished one stroke behind Lacognata. “It was a little hot. It was a grind.”

Plourde, who tied Erin Holmes for the girls’ state individual title last fall, wasn’t satisfied with her 78.

“I missed a few putts I definitely should have made, and I had some that I was lucky to make,” she said. “My approach shots were decent. Some were good. Some were bad. It was just a roller coaster.”

Lacognata said that she had a difficult time maintaining her focus.

“Today was more of keeping my mental focus while (playing) with a lot of my friends. I don’t usually play in tournaments with such good friends,” she said.

“Overall (my score) was all right but I know it could have been a lot better.”

Holmes, who will play golf at Bucknell in the fall after graduating from Greely High in June, shot a 79.

In the boys’ 13-15 age group, Teddy Forsley of Scarborough led with an 80.

In the boys’ 12-and-under division, Sebastien Martinez, a 10-year-old from Yarmouth, set the pace with a 4-over 40. The tournament’s youngest golfers played nine holes.

In the girls’ 13-15 age group, Ruby Haylock, an incoming eighth-grader from Buckfield led with a 93.

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